We never used words to butter you up. No one knows that better than you. And God knows we never used words as a smoke screen to take advantage of you.

^6–8Even though we had some standing as Christ’s apostles, we never threw our weight around or tried to come across as important, with you or anyone else.

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In other versions

ESVEnglish Standard Version

For we never came with words of flattery, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed—God is witness. Nor did we seek glory from people, whether from you or from others, though we could have made demands as apostles of Christ.

NIVNew International Version (2011)

You know we never used flattery, nor did we put on a mask to cover up greed—God is our witness. We were not looking for praise from people, not from you or anyone else, even though as apostles of Christ we could have asserted our authority.

CSBChristian Standard Bible

For we never used flattering speech, as you know, or had greedy motives—God is our witness—and we didn’t seek glory from people, either from you or from others.

NLTNew Living Translation

Never once did we try to win you with flattery, as you well know. And God is our witness that we were not pretending to be your friends just to get your money! As for human praise, we have never sought it from you or anyone else.

LEBThe Lexham English Bible

For never did we come with a word of flattery, just as you know, nor with a pretext of greediness (God is witness), nor seeking glory from people, neither from you nor from others.

KJV 1900King James Version

For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloke of covetousness; God is witness: Nor of men sought we glory, neither of you, nor yet of others, when we might have been burdensome, as the apostles of Christ.

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